4 Things to Know if The SSA Attempts to Review Your SSD Case

What if the Social Security Administration (SSA) contacts you to review your case after you have already been approved for disability benefits? This does happen occasionally and it is called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR).

Here are four things you should know about a CDR

If you are contacted the SSA is trying to take your benefits away.

You are required to cooperate in a timely matter. Do not ignore this or wait to respond.

You should know what disability or combination of disabilities you were found to be disabled based upon.

The first question the SSA will as you is “Are your better, worse or the same?” If you say you are doing better you have opened up the case for a full review. The best answer is to say you are worse and provide the SSA with additional disabilities along with a long and accurate list of doctors and hospitals that have treated you for both your old disabilities and your new disabilities.

Here are a few other things worth noting:

Losing Your SSD Benefits

Once you lose your benefits they are very hard to get back a second time. The older you are the less likely you are to get reviewed. The younger you are the more likely you are to be contacted by the SSA for a CDR.

Review of SSD Cases

In some cases the judge who heard your case has already told the SSA that your case should be reviewed within a certain number of years. Your case can be reviewed as many times and as often as the SSA wants. The number of case reviews that the SSA does in a year is based on the funding that is set aside to do this. Many years the SSA runs of out of money and a lot of cases simply don’t get reviewed.

When your clients received a notice of CDR we have been helping them fill out the paperwork to avoid the risk of losing their benefits. We limit this service to clients only.

Timing and Medical Care for your Disability

In the event the SSA notifies you that they have decided to take your benefits away you have 60 days to file an appeal. If you file an appeal within the first 10 days the SSA will not stop your benefits while the appeal process is underway.

An important thing to remember is that the SSA is looking for current and continual medical treatment for the condition that found you to be disabled. If you have a new condition/disability don’t let it sidetrack you from getting the treatment you need for the old disability you were found to have. If you stop seeking treatment with one doctor, especially a specialist, you need to find another specialist in the same field. Don’t wait more than two or three months. The SSA does not like to see gaps in medical treatment.

Work Programs and Your SSDI Benefits

Finally, you should be aware that the SSA has many programs to get you to go back to work (e.g. The Trail Work Period program, the Ticket to work proram, and allowing you to work part time). If you participate in these programs the SSA can hold it against you. I have heard judges say if you can work part time you can work full time.

Has this information helped you or do you think it would help a co-w0rker, friend, or family member? Please pass along our information to anyone you feel we can help with their SSD claim. You can contact us online or call #866-352-5238.

By Rebecca Levinson|2015-09-21T16:35:46+00:00September 21st, 2015|Blog|Comments Off on 4 Things to Know if The SSA Attempts to Review Your SSD Case